Teamsters Withhold Endorsement After Kamala Harris Meeting

In a pivotal moment for the 2024 presidential race, the influential Teamsters Union chose to withhold its endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris following a closed-door meeting at the union’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. The decision to delay an endorsement comes as the union, representing over 1.3 million workers, remains divided on its political stance ahead of the 2024 election. Sean O’Brien, president of the Teamsters, emphasized the diversity of political affiliations within the union, including Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, as the reason for their measured approach.

During the September 16 meeting, Harris reportedly discussed key labor issues with the union’s leadership, focusing on policies critical to the Teamsters, such as collective bargaining and support for workers' rights. Despite these conversations, O’Brien did not commit to supporting Harris, stating that the union is still polling its members to gauge their preferences. The results of this internal survey are expected to play a significant role in the union’s final endorsement decision, which is set to be announced in the coming weeks​.

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS ATTENDS TEAMSTERS RANK-AND-FILE ROUNDTABLE

Vice President Kamala Harris met with rank-and-file Teamsters from around the country on Monday, marking the final rank-and-file Presidential roundtable as the union weighs its endorsement in the U.S. Presidential… pic.twitter.com/1pOHFZKNrP

— Teamsters (@Teamsters) September 16, 2024

O’Brien's hesitation stands in stark contrast to other major labor unions, which have already thrown their support behind the Democratic ticket. The Teamsters have historically leaned toward the Democratic Party but have been slow to endorse this election cycle, even entertaining the possibility of supporting former President Donald Trump, whose appeal among certain segments of their membership remains strong.

Notably, O'Brien had spoken at the Republican National Convention earlier this year, a move that sparked internal controversy but also reflected the union's openness to hearing from all sides.

This is it..
Today the Teamsters GEB and Round Table participants will meet with Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss the Teamsters endorsement for President of the United States. T4H urges each Member of this group to speak up and stand for what they believe in!! LFG!!… pic.twitter.com/miQqOHY8yU

— Teamsters For Harris (@teamstersharris) September 16, 2024

One reason for the delay may be the diverse makeup of the Teamsters. As a largely non-college-educated, male workforce, many members align with Trump on economic and labor issues, despite union leadership’s criticism of Trump’s anti-strike rhetoric. O’Brien has been vocal in denouncing Trump’s remarks about firing striking workers, calling it "economic terrorism." These stark divisions within the union make it challenging to secure a consensus endorsement​.

Further complicating the union’s decision is the stance of the Teamsters National Black Caucus (TNBC), which has already broken ranks and endorsed Harris. The caucus cited Harris’s track record on labor rights and her commitment to working-class families as reasons for their support. This endorsement, however, is not reflective of the broader union’s sentiment, as O’Brien and the executive board continue to deliberate.

For Harris, securing the Teamsters’ endorsement is crucial. The union’s backing could help solidify her support among blue-collar voters, a demographic Democrats are eager to win over as the general election approaches. Her meeting with the Teamsters came just weeks before Election Day, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

Ultimately, O’Brien has made it clear that the union’s decision will be driven by what is best for its members, rather than traditional political alliances. He stated that the union’s primary concern is ensuring that their endorsed candidate will prioritize the needs of Teamsters and their families, regardless of party affiliation​.